- Court Arraigns Two for Alleged Illegal Development Fee Demand
- Pastor Fred Aghedo alleged that the suspects demanded payment before allowing construction work on his property
- Told the court that the suspects allegedly blocked him and a tractor hired for land development
Two suspects have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Warri, Delta State, over alleged illegal demands for development fees, commonly referred to as “deve,” from a property developer.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the arraignment follows the state government’s directive ordering the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in collecting unlawful levies.
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The defendants, Irikefe Ajueyitsi and Abubakar Nasiru, appeared before Chief Magistrate E. M. Sowho at Magistrate Court 1 on a two-count charge of illegal demand and breach of peace.
The case was brought after a petition filed by a property developer, Pastor Fred Aghedo, who alleged that the suspects demanded payment before allowing construction work on his property.
Prosecuting counsel, ASP Dicko Wakama, told the court that the accused persons, alongside others still at large, committed the offence on March 12, 2026, at 3rd Marine Quarter Road, Warri.
According to the prosecution, the suspects demanded “deve” in connection with development activities on the property, an act said to contravene the Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Law, 2018.
Wakama also alleged that the defendants caused disturbance at the site, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code of Delta State.
However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Sowho granted them bail and adjourned the case until May 20, 2026, for further hearing.
Narrating his experience, Pastor Aghedo told the court that the suspects allegedly blocked him and a tractor hired for land development, insisting that work would not proceed unless the demanded fee was paid.
The case highlights the state government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal levies and extortion linked to property development.
